June 21, 2001
Honorable David Garman
Assistant Secretary of Energy
Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy
U.S. Department of Energy
1000
Independence Avenue
Washington, DC 20585
Dear Mr. Garman:
On behalf of the Governors’ Ethanol Coalition, I would like to express
our appreciation for the support that the Office of Fuels Development and
the Office of Transportation Technologies have given the ethanol industry.
Under the direction of John Ferrell and David Rogers respectively, these
offices have sponsored programs that have met or exceeded the Coalition’s
expectations.
New technology is the cornerstone of improved efficiency and air
quality in the transportation sector, and ethanol serves as a critical
solution in these groundbreaking technologies. The research and
development efforts over the past decade have succeeded in reducing the
cost of producing biomass ethanol by nearly 65 percent, significantly
enhancing the commercial viability of emerging technologies.
Many of the programs have a long-term outlook, investigating more
advanced ethanol conversion technologies and supporting important outreach
and educational efforts such as the Regional Biomass Energy Program.
Through the regional programs, states can identify and facilitate local
partnerships, coordinate educational workshops, disseminate information,
and engage in other activities to promote ethanol’s production and
use.
Continuing high gas prices and increased demand for ethanol mean these
efforts are needed more now than ever. With the Department of Energy’s
support, advances in cellulosic ethanol can be achieved more quickly,
increasing ethanol’s supply and insulating consumers against future gas
price spikes. The Coalition appreciates the Department’s continued
commitment to developing ethanol and renewable energy resources.
Sincerely,
